0:00:02 > 0:00:03Hello, and welcome to the show.
0:00:03 > 0:00:06Now, property prices are on the up in certain parts of the country
0:00:06 > 0:00:09which is great news if you're a seller but if you're a buyer,
0:00:09 > 0:00:12well, it makes getting a bargain a little harder.
0:00:12 > 0:00:14Oh, it certainly does, Martin.
0:00:14 > 0:00:17You've just got to do your homework to get the right area
0:00:17 > 0:00:18for the right price...
0:00:18 > 0:00:21Martin, where is a good place to search?
0:00:21 > 0:00:22At the auction.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51You're likely to see a wide range of properties at auction
0:00:51 > 0:00:52to suit all tastes and budgets.
0:00:52 > 0:00:56So let's take a look at what went under the hammer on today's show.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59'Today on Homes Under The Hammer,
0:00:59 > 0:01:03'a three-bed in Ebbw Vale has a surprising interior.'
0:01:03 > 0:01:05That's an interesting design style -
0:01:05 > 0:01:06building site look.
0:01:08 > 0:01:12'In London, a beautiful basement flat has a nasty surprise -
0:01:12 > 0:01:14'damp.'
0:01:14 > 0:01:16That could cost thousands of pounds.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20'But there's no surprises in Workington.
0:01:20 > 0:01:22'You know the layout of this two-bed terrace.'
0:01:22 > 0:01:25What do you think's next? Go on, guess - kitchen.
0:01:25 > 0:01:26You've seen properties like this
0:01:26 > 0:01:28a million times before on Homes Under The Hammer.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31All these properties were bought at auction.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33We'll find out who got them
0:01:33 > 0:01:36and how much they paid when the homes went under the hammer.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38Your flat, sir.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45I'm in the village of Waunlwyd, South Wales, in Ebbw Vale.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48An area where the communities and culture
0:01:48 > 0:01:52grew around coal and other heavy industries, like steel.
0:01:52 > 0:01:54The bad news, economically speaking,
0:01:54 > 0:01:58was the closure of the steelworks in 2002.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03Well, this whole area was once badly blighted by pollution
0:02:03 > 0:02:06from the Ebbw Vale Steelworks nearby.
0:02:06 > 0:02:08But since the closure of those steelworks,
0:02:08 > 0:02:12the environment has generally got a lot more pleasant and,
0:02:12 > 0:02:15in terms of redevelopment, there's some very good things going on.
0:02:18 > 0:02:20A brand-new sports centre has been built,
0:02:20 > 0:02:23new housing and a new shopping centre.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26So, this could well be a place for a developer to keep an eye on.
0:02:27 > 0:02:30# Whoo whoo whoo Keep an eye
0:02:30 > 0:02:32# Keep an eye
0:02:32 > 0:02:33# On your close friend... #
0:02:35 > 0:02:39Well, on offer at auction, in a very pleasant location,
0:02:39 > 0:02:43was a three-bedroomed mid-terrace.
0:02:43 > 0:02:45This is it.
0:02:45 > 0:02:46The guide price, though,
0:02:46 > 0:02:49£18,000.
0:02:50 > 0:02:51That's not a lot.
0:02:52 > 0:02:53What's the catch?
0:02:53 > 0:02:57# You're as cheap as the perfume
0:02:57 > 0:02:59# That you wear... #
0:02:59 > 0:03:01Ah.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04Well, that's an interesting design style...
0:03:05 > 0:03:06..the building site look.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08HE LAUGHS
0:03:08 > 0:03:09Okey-dokey.
0:03:09 > 0:03:14Well, clearly it's a property that is partway through being renovated.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17Um, but it's odd to see things like these great piles of sand,
0:03:17 > 0:03:22and cement mixers. It's obviously a work in progress.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26One big, big, big room at the front here, though, which I actually like.
0:03:26 > 0:03:30It's got a really good feel to it, really open-plan with these stairs
0:03:30 > 0:03:32probably relocated from where they were originally.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35At least somebody's started it in the right kind of way.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38You don't know how well the work's been done but, yeah, I like...
0:03:38 > 0:03:40Well, actually, strangely enough, I like it.
0:03:44 > 0:03:50Hmm. That said, I'd like it a lot more if it had a bathroom
0:03:50 > 0:03:51which it doesn't,
0:03:51 > 0:03:54and a kitchen,
0:03:54 > 0:03:56which is also doesn't.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00Open sewer there, lovely. Um, OK.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02What does it matter?
0:04:02 > 0:04:06Well, you know, the whole house is being completely refurbished anyway.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09The fact it hasn't got a kitchen or a bathroom, though,
0:04:09 > 0:04:10means it's unmortgageable
0:04:10 > 0:04:12which means you're going to have to fund this with cash
0:04:12 > 0:04:16and then, maybe, apply for a mortgage once the work's done. Er...
0:04:16 > 0:04:20At least it's a blank canvas on which you can do whatever you want.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25This might seem like a gift but before you get mixed up in it
0:04:25 > 0:04:29you shouldn't assume all the work has been done to a good standard.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32I'd still want to check the electrics and plumbing,
0:04:32 > 0:04:34along with what looks like a leaky roof.
0:04:35 > 0:04:36# Just be patient
0:04:38 > 0:04:40# I'm a work in progress. #
0:04:43 > 0:04:48So, upstairs and no surprises. Lots of work here to finish things off.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51But, like downstairs, lots of space.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54A big double bedroom to the front, two slightly smaller bedrooms
0:04:54 > 0:04:57towards the back, but some nice design features.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00For instance, both of these rear bedrooms access
0:05:00 > 0:05:02this little flat-roofed area.
0:05:02 > 0:05:06Now, I don't know if you can sit on it or walk on it
0:05:06 > 0:05:08but that would actually be quite pleasant because...
0:05:10 > 0:05:13..there's actually a really nice view across the garden
0:05:13 > 0:05:15and upwards to the hills.
0:05:15 > 0:05:16Perfect!
0:05:18 > 0:05:20Actually, you'd need to do a safety check on it
0:05:20 > 0:05:23and then it would be perfect.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25But there are some imperfections -
0:05:25 > 0:05:28you shouldn't be able to see your bedroom from the kitchen,
0:05:28 > 0:05:31for example. And there is THAT big negative.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34# We're on a building site I tell ya
0:05:34 > 0:05:36# We're gonna build We're gonna build
0:05:36 > 0:05:38# We're gonna build our love tonight
0:05:38 > 0:05:41# We're gonna build We're gonna build
0:05:41 > 0:05:43# Cos we're on a building site. #
0:05:43 > 0:05:46Let's ask along a local property expert for his thoughts.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53When a property is in such a state as it is at the moment
0:05:53 > 0:05:57it's beneficial to put this into a really good modern standard.
0:05:57 > 0:05:59The market is difficult round here,
0:05:59 > 0:06:02so to try and separate this from the competition,
0:06:02 > 0:06:04putting it into the best standard possible
0:06:04 > 0:06:06will be beneficial for the developer.
0:06:06 > 0:06:08Bearing in mind that tough local market,
0:06:08 > 0:06:11what kind of resale value could you get once renovated?
0:06:13 > 0:06:17I think the property could be worth in the region of £75,000.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19And what could you get for lettings?
0:06:21 > 0:06:23If the property was rented as a three-bedroom, sort of,
0:06:23 > 0:06:26fully modernised, fully renovated property,
0:06:26 > 0:06:29it should achieve in the region of £425 per calendar month.
0:06:31 > 0:06:33Well, it's not often you find an auction property
0:06:33 > 0:06:36with a ready-made place to play with your toys.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38But that's certainly what you get here.
0:06:38 > 0:06:42What you also get, more seriously, is a bit of a project.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44Let's see who fancied it when it went under the hammer.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50Lot number 36.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52You'll have looked at it, you'll have made up your mind,
0:06:52 > 0:06:55lot of interest in this, guided at just £18,000.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58Notice there's a bit of a hush descended over the room.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00We actually have a proxy bid on this so I'm going to just
0:07:00 > 0:07:03make my life easier by starting with the proxy bid at £20,000.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06At 20,000, now one, can I see from somebody?
0:07:06 > 0:07:0721, 22,
0:07:07 > 0:07:0923, 24,
0:07:09 > 0:07:1025, 26,
0:07:10 > 0:07:1127, 28,
0:07:11 > 0:07:1229, 30,
0:07:12 > 0:07:1331, 32,
0:07:13 > 0:07:1533, 34,
0:07:15 > 0:07:1635, 36,
0:07:16 > 0:07:1837, 38,
0:07:18 > 0:07:1939, 40,
0:07:19 > 0:07:2141, 42, 43...
0:07:22 > 0:07:25I'm going to say 45. 46?
0:07:25 > 0:07:2946. Right, then. Proxy bidder's out. £46,000?
0:07:29 > 0:07:3047 now to somebody?
0:07:30 > 0:07:33At 46, then, it's...with you, sir.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35That was short and sweet, wasn't it?
0:07:35 > 0:07:39If only they were all like that. At £46,000, then, for the first time.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43At £46,000 for the second time.
0:07:43 > 0:07:47Third and last time, at £46,000, there we go.
0:07:47 > 0:07:48Number 14, thank you very much.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51Wow! You don't see that every day at the auctions.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54And the buyer, Andy, certainly won't have seen that before
0:07:54 > 0:07:57as this was his first ever auction.
0:07:57 > 0:08:02His successful bid of £46,000 got him his first project
0:08:02 > 0:08:04and I met up with him at the property,
0:08:04 > 0:08:06or should that be building site?
0:08:06 > 0:08:10- Andy, good to meet you.- Hello. - Congratulations.- Thanks.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14- So tell me why you wanted to buy this place.- I... As an investment.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17- Er, to basically do up and sell on.- Right.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19Have you got expertise in that kind of thing?
0:08:19 > 0:08:23Um, I'm a bathroom and kitchen installer, um,
0:08:23 > 0:08:26so I do this sort of thing generally but for somebody else.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28It's perfect, then, because it hasn't got a kitchen or a bathroom!
0:08:28 > 0:08:31No kitchen, no bathroom. Definitely not. No.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33An unusual property,
0:08:33 > 0:08:35probably would put a lot of people off, the state it's in.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37Um, yes, but it's...
0:08:37 > 0:08:40Essentially, once you see past what was here with the piles of junk
0:08:40 > 0:08:42and stuff, then, yeah, it's not too bad.
0:08:42 > 0:08:46So tell me the process. What are you going to do to make it liveable?
0:08:46 > 0:08:50Er, we have builders coming in...shortly.
0:08:50 > 0:08:56Um, we have to do some drainage, we have to repoint part of the outside,
0:08:56 > 0:09:02re-render the outside. It's already had a pretty reasonable rewire done,
0:09:02 > 0:09:04we've just had a new fuse board put in.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07Er, obviously, it's going to need a huge clean, decorate,
0:09:07 > 0:09:11there's still plastering to finish off... Kitchen and bathroom.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15- Keep the layout pretty much as it is?- Absolutely. It seems ideal.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17- Yeah, it's nice.- It's perfect.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19And then you've obviously got the flat roof area
0:09:19 > 0:09:21which is accessed upstairs,
0:09:21 > 0:09:24that looks like it's been leaking, or something...
0:09:24 > 0:09:27- Yes, certainly. Yeah, absolutely. - What are your plans for that?
0:09:27 > 0:09:30Er, the builder's coming to have a look at that, basically,
0:09:30 > 0:09:32in a couple of hours' time.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36When he does have a look at that I also want him to tell me
0:09:36 > 0:09:39if it's structural, if we can stand on it,
0:09:39 > 0:09:41because it does appear that they've made it
0:09:41 > 0:09:43as if you were going to have a balcony from there.
0:09:43 > 0:09:47- Yep.- With twin, sort of, patio doors going on to it.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50- Which could be quite pleasant.- So, hopefully, turn it into a balcony.
0:09:50 > 0:09:54'Andy will continue working on fitting kitchens and bathrooms
0:09:54 > 0:09:56'while developing this house.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58'But he also has another reason for being here.'
0:10:00 > 0:10:02I am in South Wales quite often
0:10:02 > 0:10:05because I go kayaking around this area.
0:10:05 > 0:10:07Oh, right, is it good for kayaking?
0:10:07 > 0:10:09It is, a little bit further over, but, yes, it is good round here.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11What are the good rivers for kayaking?
0:10:11 > 0:10:15- There's one called the Mellte which is very nice indeed.- Right.- Mm.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17So, hopefully we won't have too much rain
0:10:17 > 0:10:19and we'll actually get some work done
0:10:19 > 0:10:22- rather than skiving off and going kayaking.- Yeah!
0:10:22 > 0:10:26I reckon Andy is certainly not going to be up a creek without a paddle
0:10:26 > 0:10:30with this property. However, there is one major issue.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35- I'm in Letchworth, Hertfordshire. - Not local at all, then?- No, no.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37It did mean a very early start this morning.
0:10:37 > 0:10:41That must be a two, three, four hour, even, commute, is it?
0:10:41 > 0:10:44Er, three hours and a bit, three and a half.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47And how are you going to, sort of, manage that, then?
0:10:47 > 0:10:49Driving down, staying with friends
0:10:49 > 0:10:51and then, when this is vaguely liveable,
0:10:51 > 0:10:53I'll come in here, sleep upstairs,
0:10:53 > 0:10:57install things and paint, and stuff like that, at the same time.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59Now I'm worried it's his car,
0:10:59 > 0:11:02and not his kayak, he's going to be spending all his time in.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05He's going to have to factor in added time and petrol costs
0:11:05 > 0:11:08to the equation. In my experience,
0:11:08 > 0:11:12you want to spend more time renovating than accelerating.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15Andy plans to sell this on and he has his eye on
0:11:15 > 0:11:19a retail price of £90,000, based on a local sale.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22So, how much does he plan to spend?
0:11:23 > 0:11:30- 12 to 15 to do it up. If I can spend any less, obviously, I will.- Right.
0:11:30 > 0:11:34- Um, but, obviously, that's not including my own time.- Of course.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36Um, so, see how it goes, really.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39Tell me about the kitchen and the bathroom, what are you going to do?
0:11:39 > 0:11:42I will probably go for, sort of, painted finish on the kitchen,
0:11:42 > 0:11:45although it's whatever I can get at the right sort of price.
0:11:46 > 0:11:50And reasonable quality bathroom suite. Um...
0:11:51 > 0:11:53Just, yeah, kind of tidy it up
0:11:53 > 0:11:56and actually put something in there that works.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58It's going to be very different when we return.
0:11:58 > 0:12:00- I hope so.- When will that be? How many months?
0:12:00 > 0:12:03Oh, there's a very good question.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06It depends on my workload back at home.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09So, two or three months or so.
0:12:09 > 0:12:11Um, it should be...
0:12:12 > 0:12:15..easily done, but that's famous last words.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18- Well, congratulations.- Thank you. - Good luck with it.- Thanks a lot.
0:12:18 > 0:12:20- I look forward to seeing how you get on.- Cheers.
0:12:20 > 0:12:24Well, it seems that Andy has the perfect skills needed
0:12:24 > 0:12:26to sort out a place that would faze a lot of people.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28He's a kitchen and bathroom fitter,
0:12:28 > 0:12:30it doesn't have either of those, so, fantastic.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32The only challenge will be making sure
0:12:32 > 0:12:36he doesn't spend too much time in his kayak, locally,
0:12:36 > 0:12:38rather than sorting the house out.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41How will he get on? You can find out later in the show.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50Welcome to West Dulwich in Southeast London.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54The area is thriving with shops, bars and cafes,
0:12:54 > 0:12:57and is very popular with young professionals and families,
0:12:57 > 0:13:00thanks in no small part to the train station,
0:13:00 > 0:13:03which will get you to London Victoria in 14 minutes.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06So West Dulwich gets a big tick from me,
0:13:06 > 0:13:08but what about the property I'm here to see?
0:13:11 > 0:13:16Well, so far I AM feeling positive, because this...
0:13:16 > 0:13:20Well, it's a lovely residential road and West Dulwich's shops and cafes
0:13:20 > 0:13:22are only a five-minute walk away from here.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24But will that feeling continue?
0:13:24 > 0:13:27Well, I am here to see a one-bedroom flat
0:13:27 > 0:13:30and it had a guide price of £190,000.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33And it's in this lovely Victorian building.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35Looks great from the outside.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37It goes up one, two, three storeys.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39No, I'm not going all the way up.
0:13:39 > 0:13:43I am going down into the basement.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47Now, basement flats can be quite dark and dingy.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49Fingers crossed it's not too bad down there.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52# Get down, deeper and down
0:13:52 > 0:13:55# Down, down, deeper and down. #
0:13:55 > 0:13:57One positive is that the side entrance
0:13:57 > 0:13:59means you do have your own access to the property.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02But will that entrance just lead to a dark flat?
0:14:06 > 0:14:09Oh, wow!
0:14:09 > 0:14:11What is not to like?
0:14:11 > 0:14:13This is a big surprise.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16What you have to get right with a basement flat is lighting.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18It's so important that it's not dark and dingy,
0:14:18 > 0:14:21and it's a nice, light and bright space.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24This is almost like it's recently been renovated.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27You've got a fabulous bathroom through there.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29I mean, look at that! I fancy taking a shower in there myself
0:14:29 > 0:14:32and I rarely say that on Homes Under The Hammer.
0:14:32 > 0:14:33- And the kitchen! - SHE GASPS
0:14:33 > 0:14:35I'm going to investigate!
0:14:35 > 0:14:36It's really nice.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39Yeah, the kitchen looks great,
0:14:39 > 0:14:43with a modern boiler and very new appliances.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45The bedroom is a good size, too,
0:14:45 > 0:14:47with clean fitted carpets,
0:14:47 > 0:14:50and the lounge has a really nice feature fireplace
0:14:50 > 0:14:52and looks like it's been freshly painted.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55But what really brings the whole flat to life
0:14:55 > 0:14:58and stops it feeling like a classic basement flat
0:14:58 > 0:15:00is that there's a brilliant combination
0:15:00 > 0:15:03of big windows and good lighting.
0:15:03 > 0:15:07# Light up, light up
0:15:07 > 0:15:12# As if you have a choice
0:15:12 > 0:15:19# Even if you cannot hear my voice... #
0:15:19 > 0:15:23Goodness, this feels like we filmed it after rather than before.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26But I have noticed some worrying signs.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29There could be a real issue for this flat. Come here.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31Just have a look down here.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34That is white mould caused by damp.
0:15:34 > 0:15:38All of that. And there are signs of it in all the rooms, everywhere.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41Now, I would employ a damp specialist straight away
0:15:41 > 0:15:43to assess the cause of the problem.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45It might not be too much to worry about,
0:15:45 > 0:15:49but, if it is, well you might need to strip back the whole flat,
0:15:49 > 0:15:52the flooring, say goodbye to that nice kitchen,
0:15:52 > 0:15:53and that lovely bathroom.
0:15:53 > 0:15:59That could cost thousands and thousands and thousands of pounds.
0:15:59 > 0:16:03# We really got a problem
0:16:03 > 0:16:07# We don't know how to fix, yeah. #
0:16:07 > 0:16:10Damp can be a serious problem.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13The three most common kinds are rising damp, penetrating damp
0:16:13 > 0:16:15and condensation.
0:16:15 > 0:16:16If you want to know what to look out for,
0:16:16 > 0:16:21with rising damp the clues are dodgy skirting and floorboards,
0:16:21 > 0:16:24salt-stained plaster and peeling paintwork.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26Ring any bells here? Hmm.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28I think it's time to find something positive
0:16:28 > 0:16:31to perk up any prospective purchaser.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37So I'm going to deliver some news
0:16:37 > 0:16:40that every London flat owner would like to hear.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43This property comes with a bit of garden!
0:16:43 > 0:16:46Now, there's 38 feet to be had of this lovely,
0:16:46 > 0:16:48well-kept, outside space area.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50So I think that's up to about here.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53So, great news if you'd like to have a barbecue,
0:16:53 > 0:16:55sit outside on a sunny day,
0:16:55 > 0:16:58I mean, really fantastic for a little London flat like this.
0:17:00 > 0:17:01As well as this outside space,
0:17:01 > 0:17:04there's a 99-year lease to go with it.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07That damp is the only downside of this basement flat,
0:17:07 > 0:17:11guided at 190,000.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13So what does a local estate agent think?
0:17:15 > 0:17:18So, a basement flat, they do have a stigma.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20I feel this is more of a lower ground flat,
0:17:20 > 0:17:22and I don't want to make that as a spin,
0:17:22 > 0:17:24but in reality it's got a lovely bay window,
0:17:24 > 0:17:27it doesn't feel particularly basement-y to me.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30So I don't think you'd have an issue in terms of moving it on.
0:17:30 > 0:17:31On first glance, it's lovely
0:17:31 > 0:17:33but I suspect there's a little bit to do here.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36The main issue here is that you've got damp on the internal walls
0:17:36 > 0:17:38as well as the external walls.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41So it could be a case that you may have to take all of the walls
0:17:41 > 0:17:45back to brick, put a damp proof course in, reline it, essentially.
0:17:45 > 0:17:49And that could cost anything up between 10,000 to 20,000
0:17:49 > 0:17:52to do a large-scale job, if it's as severe as that.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56So, potentially, there could be a lot of work -
0:17:56 > 0:17:57a lot of expensive work.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59But would all that work be worth it
0:17:59 > 0:18:04if this flat could be bought for its guide price of £190,000?
0:18:04 > 0:18:07Well, let's get some valuations.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10If this flat was to come back to the market in good condition
0:18:10 > 0:18:12throughout, I would expect this to achieve
0:18:12 > 0:18:17circa £325,000 to £350,000.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20Wow! That's a lot of profit potential.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22And for rental?
0:18:22 > 0:18:24In good condition presented back to the market,
0:18:24 > 0:18:28I can see this flat achieving between £1,150 per calendar month
0:18:28 > 0:18:30to £1,250 per calendar month.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35Now, it's not too dark and dingy in here
0:18:35 > 0:18:38and, on face value, it looks pretty good.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42But the damp issue could easily transform this
0:18:42 > 0:18:46from a straightforward project into a real money pit.
0:18:46 > 0:18:47Let's head to the auction
0:18:47 > 0:18:50and find out who was prepared to take this on.
0:18:51 > 0:18:53Basement flat is next.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56The self-contained, lower ground floor flat, this one.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59What shall we say for it? Will you start me at 200 for it?
0:18:59 > 0:19:01You will, thank you. Straight away, 200.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04202 now. 200 I have.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06202. 204?
0:19:06 > 0:19:07204. 206.
0:19:07 > 0:19:08208?
0:19:10 > 0:19:12208. 210?
0:19:12 > 0:19:15I'll take 210 from you, madam. Thank you. 212...?
0:19:15 > 0:19:19This lot proved popular and that guide price of £190,000...
0:19:19 > 0:19:21Huh, well, it became a distant memory.
0:19:21 > 0:19:25We now rejoin the bidding at 272,000.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28Yours, madam, at 272, at the moment.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30275 anywhere else?
0:19:30 > 0:19:31Against you, over here.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33Yours at 272.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35275, 278, 280.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38Are you sure?
0:19:38 > 0:19:41278 with the lady here for the first.
0:19:41 > 0:19:43278 for the second.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46Third and final time...
0:19:46 > 0:19:50Your flat, madam. 278,000. Your bidder number, please?
0:19:50 > 0:19:52Getting the property for £88,000
0:19:52 > 0:19:54over the guide price was Julia.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59This £270,000 purchase
0:19:59 > 0:20:02is the third property in her portfolio.
0:20:02 > 0:20:03She's a primary school teacher,
0:20:03 > 0:20:06so I'm hoping she's going to go to the top of the class
0:20:06 > 0:20:10with the research she's done on this flat.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14- Julia, congratulations.- Thank you very much.- Lovely to meet you.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17Now, you look like a happy person that's bought a flat that they love!
0:20:17 > 0:20:18I'm so happy.
0:20:18 > 0:20:22I was expecting it to be really run down, damp.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25So, this one, I was just pleasantly surprised.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27I mean, that's the first thing that struck me.
0:20:27 > 0:20:31You walk through the door and it's like somebody's renovated,
0:20:31 > 0:20:34- decorated and made it look nice to sell.- Absolutely.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38Now, I am just gone to backtrack a little bit, cos you said "damp".
0:20:38 > 0:20:42- Yeah, there's...- There is damp. - There is damp, yeah.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45Do you know about the damp? Or have you just found out about the damp?
0:20:45 > 0:20:47I've just, this morning...
0:20:47 > 0:20:51I had a chat with the guy who sold me the flat.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54So he's going to take me for a drink this afternoon in the pub
0:20:54 > 0:20:55and we're going to sit down
0:20:55 > 0:20:58and he's going to share what he knows about the damp issues.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00So there is a damp issue here.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03Now, how do you feel about that and what do you know about damp?
0:21:03 > 0:21:04Not much.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07I'm just going to go out and find a damp specialist
0:21:07 > 0:21:10and, hopefully, he can come and do his magic,
0:21:10 > 0:21:13and fix the problem, I'm hoping!
0:21:13 > 0:21:15- You just want him to wave a magic wand?- Yeah!
0:21:15 > 0:21:18I mean, you know, hopefully, you know,
0:21:18 > 0:21:20he can just work out what the problem is,
0:21:20 > 0:21:21what's causing the damp.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24I think there is a history...
0:21:24 > 0:21:26of 30 years of damp.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29This is what the vendor has just told me.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33So... But maybe he just didn't do the damp treatment properly?
0:21:33 > 0:21:35Oh, I love your positivity!
0:21:35 > 0:21:39You see, I'm thinking basement flat equals damp equals...
0:21:39 > 0:21:42This is what I don't want to happen to you, that you have to
0:21:42 > 0:21:45bring everything up, ie pull your kitchen out,
0:21:45 > 0:21:47pull your bathroom out,
0:21:47 > 0:21:49everything that looks fabulous, all this flooring,
0:21:49 > 0:21:52- everything has to all come up... - It's possible.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54..and you then have to treat the damp.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56Now, that would be worst-case scenario for you.
0:21:56 > 0:21:57That would be worse.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59But are you prepared for that, cos that may happen here?
0:21:59 > 0:22:01You take a chance when you go to the auction.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04But I still think that this is a good investment
0:22:04 > 0:22:06and even if I have to do that, so be it.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09I still feel that this flat is well worth it.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12# Mr Magic, Magic
0:22:12 > 0:22:16# Magic man. #
0:22:16 > 0:22:19Oh, Julia, I love your positivity
0:22:19 > 0:22:21but this could be a very expensive lesson.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24However, she is absolutely right.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27Once this flat is sorted, it will become brilliant.
0:22:27 > 0:22:28But without a magic man,
0:22:28 > 0:22:32I think treating the damp could be a large and costly job.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38So what sort of budget have you got for the work here?
0:22:38 > 0:22:42Well, I was hoping, when I first looked around,
0:22:42 > 0:22:44when I did the viewing, I thought,
0:22:44 > 0:22:47"Oh, it's only going to be a couple of grand, a bit of paint", you know.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49I could see a bit of damp but I thought, "It doesn't look too bad."
0:22:49 > 0:22:53So, I'm hoping it's just going to be a couple of grand.
0:22:53 > 0:22:56But I really don't know at this point.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59Do you have a budget? Do you have a substantial amount
0:22:59 > 0:23:01that you could spend on this, if need be?
0:23:01 > 0:23:05- Not really but I'd have to. I'd have to just take a loan out.- OK.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07What's your timeframe for this?
0:23:07 > 0:23:09Well, I've got a big, fat mortgage on it
0:23:09 > 0:23:12so I'm hoping to do the work as soon as possible,
0:23:12 > 0:23:16in the next two to three weeks, hopefully.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18- Possibly a month.- Mm-hm.
0:23:18 > 0:23:20I've got enough for a couple of mortgage payments.
0:23:20 > 0:23:22And then you're desperate to rent this flat out?
0:23:22 > 0:23:24Yeah, I need to, cos, you know,
0:23:24 > 0:23:28every month I've got to find that money, haven't I? So...
0:23:28 > 0:23:31So will you be doing any work to the flat in the short-term?
0:23:31 > 0:23:34No, there's no point until they've sorted out the damp.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37So, when we come back and see you, you may have done everything...
0:23:37 > 0:23:40- Yeah.- And the kitchen may have gone, the bathroom may have gone.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43- ..or you may have done nothing at all.- No, yeah.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46We'll see. We'll see what the specialists say, the experts,
0:23:46 > 0:23:51and they're going to tell me what my next steps need to be.
0:23:51 > 0:23:52But you still, overall, feel happy?
0:23:52 > 0:23:55I'm chuffed. I'm still happy about it. I think it's a good bargain.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58I can't imagine you getting down about anything actually!
0:23:58 > 0:24:01I'm still happy where I am. Even if it costs more than I think,
0:24:01 > 0:24:04I think, well, I will always get my money back in this area.
0:24:04 > 0:24:05It's a lovely area.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08Julia, Julia, Julia, I'm going to keep my fingers crossed for you.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11- Yeah, me too. - Will it be really bad damp
0:24:11 > 0:24:13or not so bad damp? We will find out.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16- Time will tell.- Thank you. - Lovely to meet you today.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19- Lovely to meet you, too. - Thank you.- Cheers.
0:24:19 > 0:24:23Unfortunately, I think Julia has taken on a little more work
0:24:23 > 0:24:28than she intended here and I really hope her spirits aren't DAMPENED
0:24:28 > 0:24:31when she gets to the bottom of this flat's issues.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33Join me later in the programme and you can find out
0:24:33 > 0:24:37if we can award Julia an A for effort
0:24:37 > 0:24:39when all her hard work has been done.
0:24:41 > 0:24:45Coming up - in Workington, it might have an ordinary layout
0:24:45 > 0:24:47but is there a hidden problem?
0:24:47 > 0:24:50It also covers an extension of the next-door neighbour's.
0:24:50 > 0:24:51Could be a bit of an issue.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56And, in London, did Julia fix all that hidden damp?
0:24:56 > 0:24:58The damp will come back and then some,
0:24:58 > 0:25:01which is basically what's happened in this flat.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07Ebbw Vale in Wales is where we return to now
0:25:07 > 0:25:09with its tranquil countryside.
0:25:09 > 0:25:14And, low down in the valley, I found a property that was low on price.
0:25:16 > 0:25:20£18,000.
0:25:20 > 0:25:22That's not a lot.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24What's the catch?
0:25:24 > 0:25:27I was about to wish that I hadn't asked.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31Ah, that's an interesting design style!
0:25:31 > 0:25:34The building site look.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36Strangely enough, I like it.
0:25:38 > 0:25:40Hmm, that said,
0:25:40 > 0:25:44I'd like it a lot more if it had a bathroom
0:25:44 > 0:25:46and a kitchen.
0:25:48 > 0:25:50Yes, the whole place was half-finished
0:25:50 > 0:25:54with building equipment everywhere and plenty of work to do.
0:25:54 > 0:25:58Absence of a kitchen and bathroom was no problem for Andy,
0:25:58 > 0:26:00who fitted them for a living.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03He paid £46,000 for the property
0:26:03 > 0:26:07and, while it was a big commute - over three hours from his home -
0:26:07 > 0:26:08he knew his way around.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11Mostly on the water, that is.
0:26:13 > 0:26:15I am in South Wales quite often
0:26:15 > 0:26:18because I go kayaking round this area.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21So, hopefully, we won't have too much rain and we'll actually
0:26:21 > 0:26:24get some work done rather than skiving off and going kayaking.
0:26:24 > 0:26:25Yeah.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27With a three-month timescale,
0:26:27 > 0:26:29if he could stay off the water,
0:26:29 > 0:26:33Andy wanted to turn this place round sooner rather than later.
0:26:33 > 0:26:34So, two months later,
0:26:34 > 0:26:36is everything shipshape?
0:27:13 > 0:27:15From building site to pleasant sight,
0:27:15 > 0:27:18what has Andy been up to here?
0:27:18 > 0:27:20Somebody had started work on it.
0:27:20 > 0:27:22However, most of it wasn't any good.
0:27:22 > 0:27:26So far, what we've done is, um... stripped the whole place out,
0:27:26 > 0:27:28plastered, painted,
0:27:28 > 0:27:30new kitchen, new bathroom.
0:27:30 > 0:27:34I believe it's its first central heating system ever.
0:27:34 > 0:27:36And just generally smartened it up.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39Apart from not having any central heating,
0:27:39 > 0:27:41it was missing a kitchen and a bathroom.
0:27:41 > 0:27:43I'm glad to report that this property
0:27:43 > 0:27:46found the most appropriate owner ever,
0:27:46 > 0:27:49and it does have a nice, smart bathroom.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52Installed in what was previously an empty space,
0:27:52 > 0:27:56it turned out the plumbing presented some challenges.
0:27:56 > 0:27:58We couldn't find any drainage to start with.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01Fortunately, a builder moved some rubble
0:28:01 > 0:28:04in the bathroom area and found a soil pipe.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07So we've managed to connect onto that,
0:28:07 > 0:28:11extended it to upstairs and put a toilet and basin in there.
0:28:11 > 0:28:15That is a very clever solution to the downstairs bathroom conundrum.
0:28:15 > 0:28:17You don't have to toddle downstairs at night.
0:28:17 > 0:28:19That has to be a good thing.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22And the bathroom hasn't encroached on the bedrooms -
0:28:22 > 0:28:23bonus!
0:28:23 > 0:28:25And how about that kitchen?
0:28:30 > 0:28:32So this is the kitchen area,
0:28:32 > 0:28:35which in the auction particulars said, "Space for a kitchen".
0:28:35 > 0:28:37There was literally nothing here.
0:28:37 > 0:28:40There was no plumbing, there was nothing in the room.
0:28:40 > 0:28:43And I've installed a nice, new kitchen in this,
0:28:43 > 0:28:47which, hopefully, should be nice, because it's what I do for a living.
0:28:47 > 0:28:49A good job by Andy, I would say.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52And another good job is the balcony area.
0:28:53 > 0:28:57When I first viewed this place, I saw there were two doors
0:28:57 > 0:28:58leading out to the flat roof area.
0:28:58 > 0:29:00Maybe not quite as simple as we first thought -
0:29:00 > 0:29:04the flat roof was leaking quite badly. We've had it all resealed.
0:29:04 > 0:29:07So decking and a nice rail, a nice place to sit
0:29:07 > 0:29:09and have a sort of cup of coffee in the morning.
0:29:09 > 0:29:11If you had to wake up and smell the coffee here,
0:29:11 > 0:29:13you'd be quite happy, I'd imagine,
0:29:13 > 0:29:16soaking in a nice view of the valley to start the day.
0:29:16 > 0:29:19However, is Andy happy with his budget?
0:29:20 > 0:29:23I've come in at around 9,000.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26Um... If I carpet it, I will spend another thousand,
0:29:26 > 0:29:28so 10 in total.
0:29:28 > 0:29:32I've obviously saved money on a few areas like the wiring,
0:29:32 > 0:29:36and I do a lot of the work myself.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38Then it's time to put your feet up, Andy.
0:29:38 > 0:29:43The hard work now falls to two local estate agents.
0:29:43 > 0:29:45This is the first time I've viewed this property
0:29:45 > 0:29:47and, to be honest with you,
0:29:47 > 0:29:51I think whoever's done the work here has done a really nice job.
0:29:51 > 0:29:53Obviously, it needs finishing.
0:29:53 > 0:29:57Love the bathroom. I think that's absolutely lovely, really modern.
0:29:57 > 0:30:00Kitchen's nice and I love the idea that you can walk
0:30:00 > 0:30:04straight out onto a terraced garden, effectively, at the back here.
0:30:04 > 0:30:06I think the layout of the property works really well.
0:30:06 > 0:30:09It flows nicely. There's a nice layout downstairs
0:30:09 > 0:30:11with it being open plan.
0:30:11 > 0:30:12And it would be lovely...
0:30:12 > 0:30:16Upstairs, you've got enough space for children, etc, for a small family.
0:30:16 > 0:30:18Bought for £46,000,
0:30:18 > 0:30:21and spending 9,000 here,
0:30:21 > 0:30:24Andy's total spend has been 55,000.
0:30:24 > 0:30:26So, what could it get in terms of resale?
0:30:28 > 0:30:33On the open market, I would put this property on for £90,000
0:30:33 > 0:30:36and I would expect it to achieve in the region of £85,000.
0:30:36 > 0:30:40I would place it on the market
0:30:40 > 0:30:44at £94,500.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47And I would expect it to realise
0:30:47 > 0:30:50around £90,000.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53That top estimate of £90,000
0:30:53 > 0:30:59would net Andy a very nice £35,000 pre-tax profit.
0:30:59 > 0:31:02Was that close to what he'd hoped for?
0:31:02 > 0:31:05It's kind of what I was expecting, figures-wise.
0:31:05 > 0:31:08Um... I've done some research into the local area.
0:31:08 > 0:31:12I've actually viewed a house on this street, so...
0:31:12 > 0:31:15Although that has been reduced by 5,000 since I've been doing this one,
0:31:15 > 0:31:18so it's kind of what I was expecting.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21He did his research and he'll make a profit.
0:31:21 > 0:31:25So, after all this work, has Andy had a chance to take to the water?
0:31:28 > 0:31:32Sadly, this is in a great area for kayaking, there's been plenty of rain
0:31:32 > 0:31:34and I haven't been once since I've been here.
0:31:34 > 0:31:36I've been far too busy.
0:31:42 > 0:31:47To the west of Cumbria lies the industrial town of Workington.
0:31:47 > 0:31:50It has long been a producer of coal, steel and iron ore,
0:31:50 > 0:31:54and was famed for the manufacture of railway track.
0:31:54 > 0:31:57This black steel column in the town centre
0:31:57 > 0:31:59commemorates Workington Steel.
0:31:59 > 0:32:01# I was born in a small town. #
0:32:03 > 0:32:06Rail tracks made in this town were so widely exported
0:32:06 > 0:32:10that it was said that, "Workington rails held the world together."
0:32:11 > 0:32:14Well, I'm also making tracks to see a local property
0:32:14 > 0:32:17guided at £25,000 plus.
0:32:17 > 0:32:21So let's see what you can get for that kind of money in these parts.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24Well, ten minutes' walk from the town centre,
0:32:24 > 0:32:28how about a two-bedroomed mid-terrace?
0:32:28 > 0:32:30Looks all right from the outside. Let's take a look.
0:32:32 > 0:32:35It's staggering to think that in London £25,000
0:32:35 > 0:32:38wouldn't even pay a deposit for a house like this.
0:32:38 > 0:32:41So what's this place like inside?
0:32:44 > 0:32:45So what have we got?
0:32:45 > 0:32:47Um... A little entrance porch here,
0:32:47 > 0:32:50and then into your front sitting room.
0:32:50 > 0:32:53Fireplace has been removed, you want to put something nice back there.
0:32:53 > 0:32:55But it's not a bad space.
0:32:55 > 0:32:59Er, storage radiators, so no central heating,
0:32:59 > 0:33:01I would hazard a guess.
0:33:01 > 0:33:03Stairs up to your two bedrooms there
0:33:03 > 0:33:05and then through into your rear living area.
0:33:05 > 0:33:08Um, what do you do with this?
0:33:08 > 0:33:11Dining room? Change the kitchen round...?
0:33:11 > 0:33:13I don't know. But it's not a bad size space,
0:33:13 > 0:33:15little courtyard out the back.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18And then through into... I mean, this is, what do you think's next?
0:33:18 > 0:33:20What you think's next? Go on, guess.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23Yep, kitchen. You've seen properties like this a million times before
0:33:23 > 0:33:25on Homes Under The Hammer.
0:33:25 > 0:33:26It's a classic design
0:33:26 > 0:33:29but is that because, in general, it works quite well?
0:33:29 > 0:33:31So through here into this little kitchen area.
0:33:31 > 0:33:35It's a bit tight cos it's quite narrow.
0:33:35 > 0:33:37So, maybe some kind of extension, perhaps?
0:33:37 > 0:33:39Through there, though, is your bathroom.
0:33:39 > 0:33:41Again, a very classic layout.
0:33:41 > 0:33:43It's not ideal but, in these kinds of properties,
0:33:43 > 0:33:45it's almost to be expected.
0:33:45 > 0:33:48Um, as a starting point...
0:33:48 > 0:33:49it's fine.
0:33:58 > 0:34:00Upstairs there are two bedrooms,
0:34:00 > 0:34:02one to the front
0:34:02 > 0:34:04and one to the back.
0:34:04 > 0:34:06But before you ask, nope,
0:34:06 > 0:34:09there's definitely no room for a bathroom up here.
0:34:09 > 0:34:13Time to look out the back to see if there's any surprises in store.
0:34:17 > 0:34:21Well, this won't be a surprise to anyone living in a seaside town.
0:34:21 > 0:34:27# Why do birds suddenly appear. #
0:34:27 > 0:34:28GULLS CAW
0:34:28 > 0:34:32Now, the good news for gulls and the bad news for house owners
0:34:32 > 0:34:35is that once they've moved in, you can't evict them.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38Gulls, like all wild birds, are protected
0:34:38 > 0:34:42under the Wildlife And Countryside Act of 1981.
0:34:42 > 0:34:44Removal of chicks, adults,
0:34:44 > 0:34:47or their nests, is a criminal offence,
0:34:47 > 0:34:50which could lead to a large fine or even prison.
0:34:50 > 0:34:52They do tend to come back to nest in the same place,
0:34:52 > 0:34:55so deterrents to nesting can be tried,
0:34:55 > 0:34:59such as sonic devices or spikes and wires.
0:34:59 > 0:35:01But culling, regarded as a last resort,
0:35:01 > 0:35:05is only permitted with a special licence.
0:35:05 > 0:35:07Well, at the rear of the property, a tiny little courtyard
0:35:07 > 0:35:10leading onto this rear alleyway.
0:35:10 > 0:35:13That's quite good. It's always good to have that kind of access.
0:35:13 > 0:35:17But one thing which is slightly concerning is THAT. See that roof?
0:35:17 > 0:35:19That sloping roof there?
0:35:19 > 0:35:22Well, not only does it cover the kitchen of this property
0:35:22 > 0:35:26but it also covers an extension of the next-door neighbour's.
0:35:26 > 0:35:29If you get on with the next-door neighbours, that's fine.
0:35:29 > 0:35:32Um, otherwise... it could be a bit of an issue.
0:35:35 > 0:35:37Aside from the communal roof,
0:35:37 > 0:35:41this is all pretty standard fare for this part of the world.
0:35:41 > 0:35:44Let's see what an agent from the auction house who sold it
0:35:44 > 0:35:46can tell us about this terraced house,
0:35:46 > 0:35:49guided at £25,000 plus.
0:35:49 > 0:35:53The positives of a property like this is that it's quite easily rentable.
0:35:53 > 0:35:56There is a good demand locally for this kind of property.
0:35:56 > 0:35:58Within walking distance of the town centre.
0:35:58 > 0:36:03The train station, supermarket and the local football ground as well.
0:36:03 > 0:36:07The negatives of the property... it does have a top end value.
0:36:07 > 0:36:09Areas like this will always have that,
0:36:09 > 0:36:11which is why people are tending to buy these up now
0:36:11 > 0:36:15for the rental yield that they'll get from renting them out.
0:36:15 > 0:36:17If it's been done to a very high standard,
0:36:17 > 0:36:21the ceiling for this area is around £70,000.
0:36:21 > 0:36:25Given local sales recently, we would confidently expect to achieve
0:36:25 > 0:36:26a minimum of £65,000.
0:36:28 > 0:36:32And what kind of rental figure could the new owner expect?
0:36:33 > 0:36:35Rental is quite popular.
0:36:35 > 0:36:37However, the ceiling for the rent is quite limited.
0:36:37 > 0:36:41It could achieve quite easily £350 per calendar month.
0:36:41 > 0:36:43To put it onto the rental market,
0:36:43 > 0:36:45you don't really have to do that much to it.
0:36:45 > 0:36:47You could leave the heating the way it is,
0:36:47 > 0:36:49put a new kitchen and bathroom in,
0:36:49 > 0:36:52and it could be rentable fairly quickly at a relatively low budget.
0:36:53 > 0:36:55Well, a fairly simple one, this one.
0:36:55 > 0:37:00Almost a starter project to cut your teeth as a property developer on.
0:37:00 > 0:37:03Let's see who bought it when it went under the hammer.
0:37:04 > 0:37:08Two-bedroom mid-terraced house.
0:37:08 > 0:37:09Ideal investment.
0:37:09 > 0:37:1125 is your guide.
0:37:11 > 0:37:14Let's sell it in the room. 25, then.
0:37:14 > 0:37:16At £25,000...
0:37:16 > 0:37:1725 here.
0:37:17 > 0:37:19At 25, 26, new bidder.
0:37:19 > 0:37:2327, 28, 29, 30.
0:37:23 > 0:37:26One... You're out. With you at 30.
0:37:26 > 0:37:28At £30,000.
0:37:28 > 0:37:30At £30,000, are we done?
0:37:30 > 0:37:3231, 32,
0:37:32 > 0:37:3633, 34, 35,
0:37:36 > 0:37:3936, 37, 38 in the corner.
0:37:39 > 0:37:4139, sir?
0:37:42 > 0:37:4539 here? No. With you in...
0:37:45 > 0:37:48On my right, at £38,000. With you, sir.
0:37:48 > 0:37:50Against you and against you.
0:37:50 > 0:37:54At £38,000... 39, you're back in.
0:37:54 > 0:37:5740... One...
0:37:57 > 0:38:00With you again on my right at £40,000.
0:38:00 > 0:38:02First time at 40.
0:38:02 > 0:38:04Second time at 40.
0:38:04 > 0:38:06Are we done?
0:38:06 > 0:38:07Half?
0:38:07 > 0:38:10Half, 41, half?
0:38:12 > 0:38:15Not sure? With you again, sir, at 41.
0:38:15 > 0:38:18With me all the way, first time, 41,
0:38:18 > 0:38:20second time, are we done?
0:38:20 > 0:38:22Selling away then at £41,000...
0:38:22 > 0:38:24GAVEL BANGS Well done, sir.
0:38:24 > 0:38:25Can I have your paddle, please?
0:38:25 > 0:38:27Lucky for some, 13.
0:38:27 > 0:38:32That successful bid of £41,000 was made by Nigel,
0:38:32 > 0:38:33who, along with wife Alison,
0:38:33 > 0:38:38came along to meet me for a chat at their newly purchased house.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40What plans await? I wonder...
0:38:42 > 0:38:45# We're only making plans for Nigel. #
0:38:47 > 0:38:49- Alison and Nigel, great to meet you both!- Hello.- Hello, there.
0:38:49 > 0:38:52- Congratulations. - Thank you.- Thank you.
0:38:52 > 0:38:54Tell me why you wanted by this little place.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56- Well, Nigel was very ill a couple of years ago...- Oh, no!
0:38:56 > 0:38:58- ..so he had to change his... He was a builder.- Right.
0:38:58 > 0:39:02- So he had to change his career. - I was a builder for 40 years.- Right.
0:39:02 > 0:39:07- So I know the game. We've got a good team of lads doing jobs...- Right.
0:39:07 > 0:39:12- So, yeah, hopefully it'll be OK.- So, is property investment new to you?
0:39:12 > 0:39:14Is it something you've done a lot of?
0:39:14 > 0:39:16- Er, fairly new to it.- Yeah.
0:39:16 > 0:39:18So, OK, tell me about this place.
0:39:18 > 0:39:20What are you going to do to it to sort it out?
0:39:20 > 0:39:25- Well... Ha-ha! The back door, we're going to close up.- OK.
0:39:25 > 0:39:27And extend the bathroom, make it bigger,
0:39:27 > 0:39:30so we can get a bathroom shower into it.
0:39:30 > 0:39:32- We're going to make this into the kitchen.- OK.
0:39:32 > 0:39:34- We'll move the kitchen into here. - Oh, right!
0:39:34 > 0:39:37Units round, so they can have a table in this area.
0:39:37 > 0:39:39Make that a little utility room.
0:39:39 > 0:39:45New central heating, new electrics, new skirting boards, where needed.
0:39:45 > 0:39:50Skimmed out where needed. New bathroom, new kitchen.
0:39:50 > 0:39:53- Decoration.- Decoration. - Decoration, yeah.
0:39:56 > 0:39:57# Moving
0:40:00 > 0:40:01# Moving. #
0:40:02 > 0:40:05Nigel and Allison strike me as a pretty sensible couple
0:40:05 > 0:40:08and seem to have everything worked out.
0:40:08 > 0:40:11But there's that small matter of the communal roof at the back.
0:40:11 > 0:40:15Are they going to make friends with their next-door neighbours?
0:40:16 > 0:40:20- Basically, I own the property next door.- Oh, right!
0:40:20 > 0:40:23- I bought it at the auction before this one.- OK.
0:40:23 > 0:40:28And then this one came into sale about a week after, so I thought...
0:40:28 > 0:40:30"Oh, I may as well buy this one as well!"
0:40:30 > 0:40:34- And, if they're both together, they are easier looked after, so...- Mm!
0:40:34 > 0:40:39# I'll be moving next door to you, now, baby
0:40:39 > 0:40:42# I'm moving next door to you-ooh. #
0:40:44 > 0:40:45Well, that's them sorted
0:40:45 > 0:40:49if they ever need to borrow a cup of sugar or even repair a roof.
0:40:49 > 0:40:51So, what's the timescale?
0:40:53 > 0:40:57- A couple of months, I'm hoping. - Right.- Get it turned round.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00And then is the idea to rent it out or sell it on?
0:41:00 > 0:41:02The idea is to rent both of the properties out.
0:41:02 > 0:41:04Mm, rent it out, yeah.
0:41:04 > 0:41:08- Do you know what rent you might get? - Um...
0:41:08 > 0:41:10We're looking for 390, something like that.
0:41:10 > 0:41:12What's the budget going to be?
0:41:12 > 0:41:16- About eight to ten.- Yeah.- OK.
0:41:16 > 0:41:19Alison and Nigel are looking for more than the rental figure
0:41:19 > 0:41:22the agent thought was the going rate.
0:41:22 > 0:41:25However, that's because they're not taking the easy route
0:41:25 > 0:41:26in doing the bare minimum.
0:41:26 > 0:41:28And I'm glad to see that.
0:41:28 > 0:41:30I like the idea of giving your tenant
0:41:30 > 0:41:32the nicest property you can budget for.
0:41:32 > 0:41:36And they'll still do OK, if they stick to their budget,
0:41:36 > 0:41:40which will make a yield of 9%. Seems like pretty good return.
0:41:40 > 0:41:45# Were only making plans for Nigel. #
0:41:45 > 0:41:47And how much of the work do you two actually do?
0:41:47 > 0:41:50- He does a lot more than me! - THEY LAUGH
0:41:50 > 0:41:53Yeah, I do quite a lot. I'm out... Well, I've been out every day.
0:41:53 > 0:41:55And just...
0:41:55 > 0:41:59I can do most things, as long as I don't have to lift heavy weights.
0:41:59 > 0:42:03Um, we have a joiner, who does all the joiner work, obviously.
0:42:04 > 0:42:07A plumber, heating engineer and electrician.
0:42:07 > 0:42:11And then Simon, my friend, he helps me. He does the decorating.
0:42:11 > 0:42:14- He's a decorator, so he helps on that.- Right!
0:42:14 > 0:42:17- Well, we're working together on the decoration.- Oh, great.
0:42:17 > 0:42:21And then after this one, plans for expanding the portfolio further?
0:42:21 > 0:42:23- Yeah.- Hopefully, yes.- Hopefully.
0:42:23 > 0:42:25If we can do four or five a year...
0:42:25 > 0:42:28- Oh! But you're enjoying it, though? - Yeah!- Yes.
0:42:28 > 0:42:32- I've really enjoyed it. Because I was off work for a year.- Ah!
0:42:32 > 0:42:34And I did nothing.
0:42:34 > 0:42:37And I was so bored, it was unbelievable.
0:42:37 > 0:42:40- So, yeah, this is great. - Well, listen, congratulations!
0:42:40 > 0:42:44- Thank you very much.- Thank you very much.- Good luck with it.- Thank you.
0:42:44 > 0:42:47- I look forward to seeing how you get on.- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:42:48 > 0:42:50SEAGULL CRIES
0:42:50 > 0:42:52Well, the seagulls certainly seem to like the property -
0:42:52 > 0:42:54and so do Nigel and Alison.
0:42:54 > 0:42:58The second one in this street - next-door, no less!
0:42:58 > 0:43:00How will they get on with sorting THIS one out?
0:43:00 > 0:43:03- You can find out later in the show. - SEAGULL CRIES
0:43:03 > 0:43:05Shut up!
0:43:09 > 0:43:12Well, nobody says it's an easy job.
0:43:12 > 0:43:15We've seen how the first developer got on. What about the other two?
0:43:15 > 0:43:18Will they be happy or disappointed
0:43:18 > 0:43:21when they hear those estate agents' evaluations?
0:43:21 > 0:43:22Let's find out how they got on.
0:43:24 > 0:43:26Back now to West Dulwich, South London,
0:43:26 > 0:43:28with its excellent shops and amenities.
0:43:28 > 0:43:31It also boasts ideal rail links.
0:43:31 > 0:43:35The property I went to see was guided at 190,000 -
0:43:35 > 0:43:37and looked perfect!
0:43:37 > 0:43:39Then, it turned out to be a basement flat.
0:43:39 > 0:43:44# I'm going down, down, down, down. #
0:43:44 > 0:43:47But I was about to be very surprised.
0:43:47 > 0:43:50This is almost like it's recently been renovated!
0:43:50 > 0:43:53You've got a fabulous bathroom through there. I mean, look at that!
0:43:53 > 0:43:57And the kitchen... I'm going to investigate!
0:43:57 > 0:43:58It's really nice!
0:43:58 > 0:44:02'But the pleasantries didn't last long because this beautiful flat
0:44:02 > 0:44:05'was riddled with damp in every room.'
0:44:05 > 0:44:09# Well, it's water, water everywhere
0:44:09 > 0:44:13# And not a drop to drink So tell me now... #
0:44:13 > 0:44:15I would employ a damp specialist straight away
0:44:15 > 0:44:17to assess the cause of the problem.
0:44:17 > 0:44:19It might not be too much to worry about.
0:44:19 > 0:44:23BUT if it is, well, you might need to strip back the whole flat,
0:44:23 > 0:44:26the flooring, say goodbye to that nice kitchen
0:44:26 > 0:44:28and that lovely bathroom.
0:44:28 > 0:44:32That could cost thousands and thousands and thousands of pounds.
0:44:34 > 0:44:37'But it didn't dampen the enthusiasm of primary school teacher Julia,
0:44:37 > 0:44:42'who paid 278,000 at auction and was delighted with her purchase.'
0:44:44 > 0:44:47I was expecting it to be really run down, damp...
0:44:47 > 0:44:50So, this one, I was just pleasantly surprised!
0:44:50 > 0:44:52You said damp...
0:44:52 > 0:44:55- Yeah, there's...- There IS damp. - There is damp, yeah.
0:44:55 > 0:44:59- Do you know about the damp?- Um... - Or have you just found out about it?
0:44:59 > 0:45:04Just this morning, I had a chat with the guy who sold me the flat.
0:45:04 > 0:45:06We're going to sit down
0:45:06 > 0:45:09and he's going to share what he knows about the damp issue.
0:45:09 > 0:45:12How do you feel about that? And what you know about damp?
0:45:12 > 0:45:16I'm just going to go out and find a damp specialist and hopefully
0:45:16 > 0:45:21he can come and do his magic and fix the problem, I'm hoping!
0:45:21 > 0:45:24'Julia only had £2,000 in her budget
0:45:24 > 0:45:26'and needed to turn the flat around fast.
0:45:26 > 0:45:28'So, when we returned one month later,
0:45:28 > 0:45:31'there were some subtle changes to the outside.
0:45:31 > 0:45:33'But what about the inside?
0:45:37 > 0:45:39'You'd be thinking that nothing has changed
0:45:39 > 0:45:43'but eagle-eyed viewers will notice a few vital improvements.'
0:45:43 > 0:45:48# Take a closer look at Take a closer look at
0:45:48 > 0:45:51# Take a closer look at
0:45:51 > 0:45:53- # Take a closer look - Yeah, yeah. #
0:45:53 > 0:45:58It looks like Julia has fixed the damp and, when we last saw her,
0:45:58 > 0:46:02she was meeting the former owner to find out about how bad the damp was.
0:46:02 > 0:46:04So what did he tell her?
0:46:04 > 0:46:09This flat has always had damp, ever since he had owned it.
0:46:09 > 0:46:11When I've been talking to the builders, they explained,
0:46:11 > 0:46:13if you've done a damp-proofing course
0:46:13 > 0:46:16and you haven't done it properly, it will fail.
0:46:16 > 0:46:20And the damp will come back and then some,
0:46:20 > 0:46:23which is basically what's happened in this flat.
0:46:23 > 0:46:25Yes, the damp was everywhere.
0:46:25 > 0:46:28So, did she have to pull out that recently renovated kitchen
0:46:28 > 0:46:31and bathroom to fix it?
0:46:31 > 0:46:34A few of the builders said we're going to have to rip out the kitchen
0:46:34 > 0:46:38and I had a heart attack because the kitchen is really lovely.
0:46:38 > 0:46:39I didn't want to replace it.
0:46:39 > 0:46:41But this team of builders said,
0:46:41 > 0:46:43"We can do the treatment from the outside."
0:46:43 > 0:46:47So, they drilled holes on the outside and did the treatment.
0:46:47 > 0:46:51They poured the chemicals in and dealt with the damp from the outside,
0:46:51 > 0:46:52rather than the inside.
0:46:52 > 0:46:57And that saves me having to replace the kitchen and replace the bathroom!
0:46:58 > 0:47:01Phew! That will have saved Julia a fortune.
0:47:01 > 0:47:04But other rooms required much more work.
0:47:04 > 0:47:06This wall was really bad.
0:47:06 > 0:47:09Apparently, they had to take seven layers of plaster off
0:47:09 > 0:47:12to get to the brick. Then they did the treatment,
0:47:12 > 0:47:14which is the chemicals.
0:47:14 > 0:47:16And then they had to keep coming
0:47:16 > 0:47:19and, a bit like spreading butter on bread,
0:47:19 > 0:47:23they had to do layer after layer after layer.
0:47:23 > 0:47:25Afterwards, it needed to be skimmed.
0:47:25 > 0:47:30Finally, he repainted the whole of the living room, the ceilings,
0:47:30 > 0:47:34after the plaster had tried out, which took about four days.
0:47:34 > 0:47:37Replaced the skirting boards, repainted them...
0:47:37 > 0:47:41I'm really pleased with the result. I think it looks really good.
0:47:41 > 0:47:45The whole renovation cost 6,000 and took a month to complete.
0:47:45 > 0:47:49And that put Julia £4,000 OVER her original budget.
0:47:50 > 0:47:54But she said that if she went over budget, she'd need take out a loan.
0:47:54 > 0:47:56So, how did she cover the extra cost?
0:47:59 > 0:48:05I just used the last of my savings. I'm literally on the last bits now.
0:48:05 > 0:48:08That's cleaned me out now. Yeah, I'm absolutely broke!
0:48:10 > 0:48:13Well, you might not be broke for very long, Julia.
0:48:13 > 0:48:17Two local estate agents can tell us their impressions of this property.
0:48:17 > 0:48:19And most importantly, its value.
0:48:21 > 0:48:23When I first came in, at first glance,
0:48:23 > 0:48:25you wouldn't realise a lot had been done.
0:48:25 > 0:48:28But actually, being here before and seeing the extent of the damp
0:48:28 > 0:48:31and now it's gone completely, we understand the work has been done
0:48:31 > 0:48:34to a high standard and obviously it's been redecorated throughout as well.
0:48:34 > 0:48:36So it's looking great.
0:48:36 > 0:48:38My first impressions are it's nice and bright,
0:48:38 > 0:48:40considering this is a lower ground floor.
0:48:40 > 0:48:43And it's been refurbished to a high standard.
0:48:43 > 0:48:46So, bought at auction for 278,000
0:48:46 > 0:48:49and having renovated at a cost of six grand,
0:48:49 > 0:48:54Julia's total spend is £284,000.
0:48:55 > 0:48:58I think, in this market,
0:48:58 > 0:49:03this property could achieve somewhere between £325,000-£350,000.
0:49:03 > 0:49:05If this property came to the market today,
0:49:05 > 0:49:10I would estimate its value between £325,000 and £350,000.
0:49:11 > 0:49:13A top valuation of 350,000
0:49:13 > 0:49:18would give Julia a pre-tax profit of £66,000.
0:49:18 > 0:49:21Is she pleased with those valuations?
0:49:21 > 0:49:23Yeah, they're really good! I'm really pleased with that.
0:49:23 > 0:49:27That's a good result. It means I've got what I paid for it
0:49:27 > 0:49:29and a little something.
0:49:29 > 0:49:32So, yeah, I'm really happy. Really pleased!
0:49:32 > 0:49:35Those numbers are a great start but Julia always wanted to rent
0:49:35 > 0:49:40and is pitching the flat at around £1,200 per calendar month.
0:49:40 > 0:49:42Now, is that the right market value?
0:49:42 > 0:49:44From a rental perspective, I think
0:49:44 > 0:49:49this property could achieve around about £1,200 per calendar month.
0:49:49 > 0:49:51For the rental market today, I would estimate this property
0:49:51 > 0:49:57achieving between £1,150 per calendar month to £1,250 per calendar month.
0:49:58 > 0:50:01An average value of £1,200 per calendar month
0:50:01 > 0:50:03would give Julia a 5% yield.
0:50:05 > 0:50:07We did a little bit of research
0:50:07 > 0:50:10and that's the figure that I thought we would get for it,
0:50:10 > 0:50:12so I'm pleased for that.
0:50:12 > 0:50:17# I was making it easy for the clean-up woman. #
0:50:18 > 0:50:21Julia is putting a few final touches to the property.
0:50:21 > 0:50:24And I'll bet she'll be glad to mop up a decent return
0:50:24 > 0:50:25on her investment.
0:50:25 > 0:50:29But would she take on a property with this kind of problem again?
0:50:31 > 0:50:34I so would take a flat that's got damp.
0:50:34 > 0:50:37I think if you bring in some experts that know what they're doing,
0:50:37 > 0:50:41then they can take care of the problem and, you know, job gets done.
0:50:44 > 0:50:47We're heading back to Workington in Cumbria now,
0:50:47 > 0:50:49a town that isn't monkeying around
0:50:49 > 0:50:51when it comes to major redevelopment.
0:50:51 > 0:50:55But while the town is undergoing changes, some things never change.
0:50:55 > 0:51:01Like the layout of this two-bed mid-terrace, guided at £25,000 plus.
0:51:01 > 0:51:05You've seen these two-up two-downs so many times before on this show,
0:51:05 > 0:51:08I'm sure you could draw a map of the layout!
0:51:10 > 0:51:13What do you think's next? What do you think? Go on, guess.
0:51:13 > 0:51:17Yep. Kitchen! You've seen properties like this a million times before
0:51:17 > 0:51:20on Homes Under The Hammer. It's a classic design.
0:51:20 > 0:51:23But is that because, in general, it works quite well?
0:51:23 > 0:51:26And, of course, bathroom at the back, etc, etc.
0:51:26 > 0:51:30But out in the lane, behind the house, there was an unusual problem.
0:51:32 > 0:51:34See that roof? That sloping roof there?
0:51:34 > 0:51:37Well, not only does it cover the kitchen of this property
0:51:37 > 0:51:40but it also covers an extension of the next-door neighbour's.
0:51:40 > 0:51:44Well, if you get on with the next-door neighbours, that's fine.
0:51:44 > 0:51:48Um, otherwise... it could be a bit of an issue.
0:51:48 > 0:51:51Shared roofs didn't put off Nigel and Alison,
0:51:51 > 0:51:53who bought the house for £41,000.
0:51:53 > 0:51:57And it turns out they had a solution to that roof problem.
0:51:58 > 0:52:00- I own the property next door. - Oh, right!
0:52:00 > 0:52:03- I bought it at the auction before this one.- OK!
0:52:03 > 0:52:08And then this one came in to sell about a week after, so I thought...
0:52:08 > 0:52:11"Oh, I may as well buy this one as well!"
0:52:11 > 0:52:15'Nigel certainly had the experience to deal with two properties.'
0:52:16 > 0:52:20- I was a builder for 40 years.- Right. - So, I know the game.
0:52:20 > 0:52:23- We've got a good team of lads doing jobs and...- Right.
0:52:23 > 0:52:26Yeah, hopefully it'll be OK.
0:52:27 > 0:52:30Nearly five months later, when we returned, well, the house
0:52:30 > 0:52:33certainly looked as if things were happening on the outside.
0:52:33 > 0:52:36But what about changes inside?
0:53:00 > 0:53:03Alison and Nigel have clearly made a lot of changes.
0:53:03 > 0:53:06Let's find out what's been going on.
0:53:07 > 0:53:09It's taken us about four months.
0:53:09 > 0:53:13We started about a fortnight after you were here last time.
0:53:13 > 0:53:15We changed all the doors
0:53:15 > 0:53:18and we changed all the skirting boards upstairs.
0:53:18 > 0:53:21And it's completely decorated in new carpet.
0:53:21 > 0:53:25And then downstairs, new skirting boards, new doors,
0:53:25 > 0:53:30new kitchen, new bathroom, new living room and floors.
0:53:30 > 0:53:32Floor coverings right through.
0:53:32 > 0:53:35'Thanks, Alison. But not the changes I was thinking of.
0:53:35 > 0:53:38'The major change is the kitchen moving.'
0:53:38 > 0:53:44# Moving furniture around. #
0:53:47 > 0:53:48Here in the kitchen,
0:53:48 > 0:53:52the original fireplace had already been taken out.
0:53:52 > 0:53:55So it allowed us a nice open space.
0:53:55 > 0:53:58So we decided to move the kitchen out of the galley kitchen
0:53:58 > 0:54:02and make a nice kitchen in here. All new units.
0:54:02 > 0:54:05We put board on here, which gives a nice finish.
0:54:05 > 0:54:08And we're very, very pleased with this result.
0:54:08 > 0:54:12'And what was the galley kitchen is now a bathroom. I don't believe it!
0:54:12 > 0:54:15'Have Nigel and Alison found a way to change the layout
0:54:15 > 0:54:19'of this most predictable property in a way we've not seen before?'
0:54:23 > 0:54:26Right, so in the bathroom, what we did, we took the wall out,
0:54:26 > 0:54:28which made the bathroom a lot bigger
0:54:28 > 0:54:32and enabled us to put the big bath in and move it that way,
0:54:32 > 0:54:37so we could have a shower and it didn't splash on the window.
0:54:37 > 0:54:43New sink, new toilet and multi panel on the wall, rather than tiles.
0:54:43 > 0:54:47Erm, I think the multi panel is better than tiles
0:54:47 > 0:54:49when you're going to rent.
0:54:49 > 0:54:51You don't have the problems with grout and things like that.
0:54:51 > 0:54:54So it's made quite a nice bathroom.
0:54:54 > 0:54:57'And the new back door area is a good solution,
0:54:57 > 0:55:00'sitting between the new kitchen and bathroom.
0:55:00 > 0:55:03'But with these major changes and the renovation upstairs,
0:55:03 > 0:55:05'have they gone over their budget?'
0:55:07 > 0:55:10I think originally we said about eight
0:55:10 > 0:55:12but we went over that by a little bit.
0:55:14 > 0:55:16I think it's come out at about 12 now.
0:55:16 > 0:55:19We felt it was worth spending a bit more money
0:55:19 > 0:55:21to put a nice kitchen in and a nice bathroom in
0:55:21 > 0:55:23- and alter the kitchen to put it in here.- Yeah.
0:55:23 > 0:55:26Because it makes a better finished job.
0:55:26 > 0:55:30'And all the work took four months. I agree with Alison -
0:55:30 > 0:55:33'the extra budget has created a good quality finish.
0:55:33 > 0:55:36'Let's hope that two local estate agents agree.'
0:55:38 > 0:55:41Clearly, as you can see from what it was previously like,
0:55:41 > 0:55:44they've made quite a lot of improvements. Moving the kitchen,
0:55:44 > 0:55:48creating a dining kitchen, which has created better space.
0:55:48 > 0:55:52And they have the property now ready to either sell on or rent out.
0:55:52 > 0:55:54I think the size of the kitchen now
0:55:54 > 0:55:57is the main thing for me in this house.
0:55:57 > 0:55:59The ability to dine with a proper table,
0:55:59 > 0:56:02within a two-bedroom, mid-terraced house,
0:56:02 > 0:56:04I think is a good advantage over others.
0:56:04 > 0:56:08'Bought for £41,000 and with a renovation spend of 12,000,
0:56:08 > 0:56:14'Alison and Nigel's total cost is £53,000. So, what about rentals?
0:56:14 > 0:56:17'And we're in luck because one estate agent
0:56:17 > 0:56:19'knows this area particularly well.'
0:56:20 > 0:56:23Well, I'm fortunate that we've actually rented
0:56:23 > 0:56:25the property next door to this very recently,
0:56:25 > 0:56:28which was in good condition, like this is.
0:56:28 > 0:56:31And we've achieved £400 per calendar month for that property.
0:56:31 > 0:56:33I'd anticipate that we'd get the same for this.
0:56:33 > 0:56:37We'd expect to get in the region of £300 per calendar month.
0:56:37 > 0:56:38Low.
0:56:38 > 0:56:42Very low. No, we get a lot more than that for next door.
0:56:42 > 0:56:45'Well, Alison isn't having any of that.
0:56:45 > 0:56:48'The second agent felt that £300 per calendar month
0:56:48 > 0:56:54'could stretch to £325 but it is a whopping difference.
0:56:54 > 0:56:57'Well, that's why we always ask for two professional opinions.
0:56:57 > 0:56:59'It's not a perfect science.
0:56:59 > 0:57:04'Those valuations would give a 9% or 6% yield respectively.
0:57:04 > 0:57:07'So, what about the resale value? Would that cheer them up?'
0:57:09 > 0:57:13We would anticipate achieving £65,000 for this house,
0:57:13 > 0:57:16perhaps to ask very slightly higher.
0:57:16 > 0:57:19We would expect to market the property in the region
0:57:19 > 0:57:25of 64,950, with a view to achieving somewhere in excess of 60,000.
0:57:25 > 0:57:29That top value of 65,000 would give Alison and Nigel
0:57:29 > 0:57:33a £12,000 profit before the usual taxes and expenses.
0:57:36 > 0:57:39- It's quite good then, isn't it? - Yeah, it's not bad.
0:57:39 > 0:57:42- Yeah, it's all right. It's not for sale but...- Quite happy with that.
0:57:42 > 0:57:46- Yeah.- It's worth knowing that it's worth more than when we started.
0:57:46 > 0:57:49So the couple keep marching on in the property game,
0:57:49 > 0:57:52transforming mid-terraces into marvellous manors.
0:57:53 > 0:57:55And I think it's down to their partnership.
0:57:55 > 0:57:58Do they work well together?
0:58:01 > 0:58:05- Er...- Yeah!- We work well on camera, I think!- No!
0:58:05 > 0:58:07But we DO work well together, don't we? We do!
0:58:07 > 0:58:09I'm not sure about anywhere else...
0:58:14 > 0:58:17Well, that's how today's property stories unfolded
0:58:17 > 0:58:19but we'll have plenty more for you next time.
0:58:19 > 0:58:23Yes, so join us for more auction action and development stories
0:58:23 > 0:58:26- from Homes Under The Hammer. - We'll see you then.- Goodbye.
0:58:26 > 0:58:27Goodbye.